In Sight of Simon’s Seat

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Lovely stretch of River Wharfe

Beautiful valley walk

Open views on high moorland

Trollers Gill

In sight of Simons Seat

Trollers Gill

Skyreholme

River Wharfe

River Wharfe at A’wick

New Inn, Appletreewick

Surrounded by the hot spots of Burnsall, Grassington and Bolton Abbey the pretty little village of Appletreewick is not quite an oasis of tranquility but the countryside that surrounds it offers an excellent walk without lots of unwelcome company. The river bank of the Wharfe is also easier to relax by than those near Grassington or Burnsall, whilst the moors above Appletreewick offer extensive views from the excellent bridleway.

The valley of Trollers Gill is full of interest and intrigue (try and get a view of Parcevall Hall from the path, what are the mysterious mine workings?) and worth spending sometime exploring. The route passes 3 camp sites which I always feel has a positive effect on an area; it encourages outdoor living and outdoor attitudes. The walkers I met were relaxed and happy, the locals friendly and this is certainly one of my favourite walks.

Recommend: Ignore the no public access notice on the track to the river – it is very old and there are no complaints from the locals.

Comments

I’d like to add a welcome addition to the top end of the walk.
As you leave the bridleway at New road and onto the path crossing towards Trollers Gill, when you join the track there’s a permissive path that leads towards Stump cross caverns, follow that and you’ll drop down above Trollers Gill and then theres a further permissive path that follows the beck down through the gill. It’s not the most obvious path but you basically follow the stream. (probably not wise to do if in flood as you have to cross the beck a few times so make sure you have waterproof boots!) Then you join the path again as you go down pass Parcevail Hall.

You should take your map on to the walk. Transfer the route form the sketch map provided. I do not believe in providing step by step instructions, it is too easy to get lost and once lost it is imposssible to recover!
Always take a map. Jonathan

Thank you to Fiona MacAulay for pointing out that the no public access to the river can be ignored. It is signed ‘Private Road’ quite clearly on the gate, and was put there by staff from the National Parks. And yes, there are padlocks on the gate. The public footpath is not far away as Fiona indicates. It has always seemed strange that many walkers with detailed maps do not use the public path, and one remarked ‘ it’s further to walk’!

Notes for this walk need updating! we did it 2 weeks ago. The following instruction is incorrect:
‘ignore the public access notice on the track to the river – it is very old and there are no complaints from the locals’. There are in fact several notices forbidding access, and gates are padlocked. You need to go right through the village to the next Inn, and walk down to the river past the campsite.